Basho Talk Haru 2018 (SPOILERS)

[robnplunder 974]

3 hours ago, Dwale said:

I wanted Mitakeumi to take that match, but something in my gut told me it would go to Endo. Still, I would really like to see Mitakeumi put up at least ten wins. Guess we'll just have to see...

Is something wrong with Chiyoshouma? I mean, he's generally posted mediocre numbers, but at least his technical skill was on display. Where is it now?

Relieved Takayasu got a win, but he's going to have to tighten up. He can't go on like this.

 

I fell out of a chair when Mita lost.   I thought he could easily dispatch Endo.  

Chiyoshoma seems to have lost his usual speed.   Without it, he can't take on the bigger/stronger opponents.

 

[Asojima 2,870]

Endo is reverting to the step back, step aside and push routine that worked so well for him when he first came up until his aite quit over-pursuing him.  It will soon become an expected move again.

Edited March 13, 2018 by Asojima

[maorencze 144]

29 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

 

I fell out of a chair when Mita lost.   I thought he could easily dispatch Endo.  

Chiyoshoma seems to have lost his usual speed.   Without it, he can't take on the bigger/stronger opponents.

 

Limps a bit and steps on his left foot rather carefully, either ankle or foot problems I'd say from seeing him move on dohyo and walk

[Amamaniac 2,078]

I noticed on Day 3, Kimura Youdou was the referee who oversaw Kakuryu's dohyoiri.  It would seem that the four sanyaku gyoji are taking turns overseeing Kakuryu's dohyoiri.  (My TV Japan broadcasts don't always show the dohyoiri so I can't confirm this.  Anyone?)   

I should have picked up on this during the last tournament, Hatsubasho.  Prior to January, I can only assume that Shikimori Shonosuke Inosuke as the sole tategyoji, was overseeing the final Yokozuna-dohyoiri each day (i.e., each of Hakuho's dohyoiri from days 10 through 15 in Fukuoka in 2017).

 

Edited March 14, 2018 by Amamaniac

[Benevolance 2,478]

Has anyone caught any of Amajanai's maezumo bouts? Think he might make yokozuna by next tournament? 

[Yukiarashi 195]

Very interesting start to the basho so far, there really are no favorites right now. I can't ever remember a basho feeling like this from the start even Aki you had the feeling Goeido would run away with the yusho.

My early yusho pick is Aoiyama from M17, but really it could be anyone (maybe Shohozan, Kaisei?)

Kakuryu has to be the current favorite, but his sumo hasn't been overly impressive other than day 1, and he seems like he could easily be derailed with his finger injury. 

Takayasu was easily the favorite before the basho, but he's already lost two out of three and has looked very unfocused, it could be an early withdraw basho for him.

Goeido will either go ballistic and revert to his Aki 2016 self, or pull out in a few days. He's looked determined since his first day loss. 

Every time it looks to be Mitakeumi's breakout basho he does what he did today. Still thinking 11-4 though for him.

Tochinoshin has lost already but strength-wise he looks even better than last basho. I hope an Ozeki run and Tochinoshin dynasty starts! (Probably won't)

Ichinojo looks unstoppable. This is how everyone thought he'd look for the last few years, but I think he has finally awoken and will become dominant. Though like a few others have said no one has really challenged him to do different sumo yet. He might become the new 2015 Terunofuji very dominant sumo, but a way to beat him maybe out there.

Endo and Tamawashi could both have breakout bashos. They both have had the same loss to Kakuryu, but looked great other than that. Good to see people like Endo, Ichinojo, and Tochinoshin break out and realize their potential. 

The era for all the new guys is dead. Ura and Onosho both have major injuries freefalling down the banzuke. Hokutofuji is winless, and Takakeisho was overpowered by Chiyomaru. Mitakeumi, and Abi were around before then.

Shohozan and Kaisei might be surprise yusho contenders. Shohozan has looked great but still has the top guys to face, and Kaisei might get away with just missing them and has looked even better so far. Both would be great upset winners. 

What is going on with Hokutofuji!? Has looked dreadful so far, he has done next to nothing since beating Hakuho last basho. 0-3 at M6!

Abi has quickly become a favorite of mine. His sumo is so unstable looking and he's so skinny comparably, he shouldn't be winning this much but he is plus he looks like a lot of fun and happy and accepted Kaisei's help yesterday instead of shoving his hand away like some guys would. 

What happened to Chiyoshoma? Dreadful sumo so far, Chiyonokuni 3-0! How is Ikioi 3-0 right now! He must have great determination for his hometown basho while he can barely stand. Aoiyama is my surprise yusho pick, he isn't doing brilliant sumo, but he's just so much better than everyone down there.

Yutakayama just obliterated Tochiozan today, Chiyonokuni kind of did too yesterday. Tochiozan is quickly going the way of Myogiryu.

I'm sure the shimpan are real pleased with Daishomaru. A dame-oshi of a 180kg rikishi on to a shimpan won't do him any favors with close decisions..

Terunofuji is doing better than I thought down in Juryo. He looked lost the first day like he was just trying not to lose, but he's done better since then.

Terutsuyoshi is also a favorite of mine. He doesn't look as easily overwhelmed as Ishiura can be, and is also smaller. He was the only one to beat Sokokurai in Kyushu and just beat Juryo favorite Takanoiwa today convincingly. Plus he's taken over as salt thrower too. 

Glad to see a guy as little as Enho ranked in Juryo.

Sad to see Orora so easily overwhelmed in Jonidan. 

[Amamaniac 2,078]

4 hours ago, Benevolance said:

Has anyone caught any of Amajanai's maezumo bouts? Think he might make yokozuna by next tournament? 

I heard that Takanohana offered him a coaching position. Seems that the stable needs an enforcer to keep all the sekitori in line...  And anyway, Amajanai was reluctant to shave his beard (for some unknown reason), and so the NSK forbade him from participating in this tournament.  I could be wrong. 

Edited March 14, 2018 by Amamaniac

[Yukiarashi 195]

AKISEYAMA BEAT TAKANOIWA WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!????

[Rocks 1,807]

29 minutes ago, Yukiarashi said:

AKISEYAMA BEAT TAKANOIWA WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!????

[Kintamayama 44,354]

9 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

 

I should have picked up on this during the last tournament, Hatsubasho.  Prior to January, I can only assume that Shikimori Shonosuke, 

 

Inosuke. The top guy is Kimura Shounosuke, vacant lately.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

 

32 minutes ago, Yukiarashi said:

AKISEYAMA BEAT TAKANOIWA WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!????

Another loss and he's out, I say.

[rhyen 1,809]

1 hour ago, Yukiarashi said:

AKISEYAMA BEAT TAKANOIWA WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!????

Must be @Akinomaki's mumbo jumbo at work.

[Munjeezy 60]

Ikioi wins by powerful yoritaoshi, I didnt see any wincing today

[rhyen 1,809]

Spoiler

The kimarite is kotenage?...maybe they should rename it Kaio-nage.

 

Edited March 14, 2018 by rhyen

[Munjeezy 60]

Kotenage?  Is that what they said?  I mean I guess so....great athleticism anyway

[Munjeezy 60]

Takakeisho was getting abused in that match, the disappointment from Tochinoshin after was obvious, he had no business losing that one.

[Taikoubana 143]

Kakuryu, Shohozan, Kaisei, Ikioi, and Aoiyama ... Five rikishi I was not expecting to be in the lead going into day 5. But I gotta say, I'd love to see Ikioi go 8-0.

If Kaisei or Aoiyama somehow yusho, that would be very impressive and unprecedented back-to-back yushos by foreigners in the maegashira ranks. But I'm guessing that all the ones in the lead right now will falter in the second week, and the top contenders with 1 loss (Mitakeumi, Ichinojo, etc.) will reclaim the lead.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

I don’t think Kakuryu and Aoiyama being leaders is all that surprising. The latter in particular ought to be there given the rank he’s fighting from.

[Morty 1,480]

Interesting (and effective) technique from Mitakeumi today, wedging his hands in Ichinojo's armpits and pushing up. Kept Ichinojo away from his belt and let Mitakeumi push up and back, negating Ichinojo's very heavy base. The big guy seemed to have no answer once Mitakeumi went forwards. Smart rikishi.

[mikawa 1,794]

That was a bit of a wild bout between Takakeisho and Tochinoshin, but thing is though, Takakeisho is most effective off the belt, while Tochinoshin is most effective on the belt.

Kakuryu has looked solid so far, but then again he looked solid for most of the Hatsu basho as well, so......

Endo's now beaten both Ozeki, maybe his sanyaku debut's not far off?

[Igordemorais 75]

Mitakeumi showing some real Yokozuna mental strength there.

 

Why isn´t Naganoyama posting the daily scoreboard anymore?

[Morty 1,480]

2 minutes ago, Igordemorais said:

Why isn´t Naganoyama posting the daily scoreboard anymore?

They are. It's up there. 

[Philioyamfugi 378]

Endo is having a great basho....and looking good doing it  Good win for mitakeuni and takakeisho 

[maorencze 144]

2 hours ago, Morty said:

Interesting (and effective) technique from Mitakeumi today, wedging his hands in Ichinojo's armpits and pushing up. Kept Ichinojo away from his belt and let Mitakeumi push up and back, negating Ichinojo's very heavy base. The big guy seemed to have no answer once Mitakeumi went forwards. Smart rikishi.

Key thing was to be faster in securing that grip and defending Ichinojo's attempts of grip change. Ichi made a mistake trying to push Mitakeumi high (face/chin), he lost that leaning advantage.

Saddest thing ever, he could possibly have won if he maintained his lean-and-wait style I hate so much, his active attempts to change situation (and sloppy hands at tachiai) cost him the bout.

Other than that, great day, and as much as I hate the guy, Takakeisho showed impressive composure and tenacity, refusing to give up till the end while being manhandled and dominated throughout the bout. "It ain't over until it's over" I guess

[maorencze 144]

2 hours ago, mikawa said:

Kakuryu has looked solid so far, but then again he looked solid for most of the Hatsu basho as well, so......

Endo's now beaten both Ozeki, maybe his sanyaku debut's not far off?

Let's see what Kakuryu's fingers withstand, and rest of his lingering minor injuries as well. I'd say 10 wins is within reach barring some health setback, after 10 who knows.

Regarding Endo, 2-2 is nice but still a long way to go, so I'm not yet ready to jump on that bandwagon. Maybe at 7-4 or 7-5, but until then...